Joseph Guagenti, decorated vet, 94
Joseph Guagenti, a longtime Howard Beach resident and decorated World War II veteran, was laid to rest last Friday. He was 94 and suffered briefly from what his family believes was the COVID-19 virus before passing away at his home on April 26. “He was funny, caring, kind, giving and a second dad to his three granddaughters. Our true hero,” his gra...
“Fondata sul lavoro”: cosa succede alla New York degli italiani durante la pandemia?
Quando giovedì 30 aprile Giovanni ha ricevuto comunicazione del licenziamento, era trascorso appena un mese e mezzo dall’ordine esecutivo che ha messo “in pausa” lo stato di New York e imposto la chiusura delle attività non essenziali. “Ero preparato alla notizia”, mi racconta, nonostante dall’entrata in vigore delle restrizioni lo scorso 22 marzo,...
Grit and red wine: Tony Vaccaro, famous war photographer beats coronavirus at 97
Tony Vaccaro’s mother died in childbirth, and at a tender age he also lost his father to tuberculosis. By age 5, he was an orphan in Italy, enduring beatings from an uncle. As an American GI during World War II, he survived the Battle of Normandy. Now, a celebrated wartime and celebrity photographer at age 97, he is getting over a bout with COVID-1...
Feast of Our Lady Mount Carmel Canceled For First Time Since WWII
A local tradition like no other, the Feast of Our Lady Mount Carmel and San Paolino di Nola has officially been canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The annual Italian-American celebration has taken place for the past 117 years in Williamsburg, and on Sunday, the pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel announced the cancellation in a letter...
Passing of Capo Anthony Prisco
The East Harlem Giglio Society regrets to inform all of our members, family and friends about the passing of our beloved Capo Anthony Prisco. Words cannot express how deeply saddened we all are about this tragic loss. Anthony was truly one of the good ones. His love of the Giglio was by far inspirational to many. We can all remember how Anthony’s s...
Ingrid Rossellini and Her Legendary Family's Passion for History (and Teaching)
Scholar and literary critic Ingrid Rossellini will be the guest of this episode of Tutti a Casa, moderated by Stefano Albertini, dedicated to the role of Western Civilization in today's world - the topic of her latest book Know Thyself (Penguing Random House, 2018). Daughter of film legends Ingrid Bergman and Roberto Rossellini, the episode will se...
#GivingTuesdayNow for the Columbus Citizens Foundation
#GivingTuesdayNow is a global day of giving on May 5, 2020, as an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This giving day is meant for all nonprofits, no matter the cause, to mobilize critical support during these uncertain times. Please watch a special message from CCF President Marian Pardo and Board Chairman Angelo Vivolo and donate to the ...
John Cortese, Proprietor of Golden Gate Fancy Fruits in Brooklyn Has Passed Away
Golden Gate Fancy Fruits has long been one of our favorite hidden gems in New York City, featured in our book Secret Brooklyn. It was a gorgeous summer day when we first met the proprietor of the Marine Park shop, John Cortese, who was 92 years old at the time and clearly a New York City treasure. Cortese is a World War II veteran who served in the...
Italian American Club in Brewster offers meals for 4 for those in need and first responders
The Putnam County Italian American Social Club in Brewster, New York would like to help out in this difficult time and with help from Ace Endico, Kobacker's Market, Putnam County Clerk Michael Bartolotti, Putnam County Legislators Joseph Castellano and Paul Jonke, Southeast Town Board Members Edwin Alvarez, John O'Connor and Eric Larca they are doi...
For ABT's Virginia Lensi, Helping Kids with Cancer Has Given Her Perspective During the Pandemic
Like so many others, American Ballet Theatre corps member Virginia Lensi didn't know how bad the coronavirus's impact on the U.S would be. But soon, her family in Milan, Italy, was sounding the alarm. "My mom was telling me this is just the beginning, it's going to get so much worse," says Lensi. Sure enough, New York City became one of the pandemi...
A Museum Devoted to Survivors Now Faces Its Own Fight to Live
The Tenement Museum, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, has always seemed fragile, with its creaky floors and cramped rooms in which striving immigrants once made their homes. Now it seems downright breakable. The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered cultural institutions all over the world, withering their staffs and canceling long-planned initiatives....
Carmine's Sells Signature Sauce To Raise Money For 450 Employees
Longtime Upper West Side Italian restaurant Carmine's is selling its signature marinara sauce for the first time to help its more than 450 employees who are out of work during the coronavirus pandemic. The 32-ounce jars of sauce — available online or for pick up at their flagship Broadway restaurant — is part of the restaurant's employee relief fun...